Embracing Mediocrity

It matters not, this contract extension Ron Wilson is gloating over. Or at least, it changes nothing.

He makes the playoffs, he'll stay as Leaf coach. He misses, he won't. This extension is mostly about feathering his nest, at least in terms of certainty. He'll get his money, which is apparently what he wanted under his tree and Brian Burke was happy to provide.

What does matter, in a larger sense, is that this is an undeniable instance of Burke's hockey club openly embracing mediocrity.

Miss the playoffs three straight years, then get to 14th overall in a 30-team league with a weak defensive record (25th out of 30) and the worst penalty killing (30th out of 30) in hockey and the coach responsible for it all gets a handsome, multi-million reward.

"Winning if necessary but not necessarily winning." It was a cheeky, mock phrase applied to the Leafs that originated in the Steve Stavro ownership days, but rings just as true today.

This extension proves it.

Wilson and Burke have talked ad nauseum about getting rid of "blue-and-white disease" in the dressing room. But there is no greater expression of blue-and-white disease, basically defined as accepting what others would see as average result as excellence, than that which Burke has delivered in extending Wilson at this time.

Mikhail Grabovski and John-Michael Liles, both in the last year of their contracts, must play on without new deals.

But not Fibber Ron. He gets taken care of.

This is why people in Vancouver, Ottawa, Edmonton, Montreal, Calgary and Winnipeg chortle "plan the parade" every time the Leafs win two in a row.

Mediocrity is celebrated in Leaf-land like no place else in hockey. Hell, mediocrity pays in Toronto like no place else in hockey.

Eventually, should the Leafs not make the post-season and Wilson is jettisoned, Rogers and Bell may also want to know why the lame-duck Ontario Teachers Pension Fund had any business approving such an contract extension, particularly with another NHL lockout in the offing.

But Wilson, for now, gets to gloat. Enjoy it, coach.

 

 

 

Comments

[Steve]

Brian burkes says the only way ron wilson would be fired is if players agents call him to trade players off this team. Have a team miss the playoffs three years in a row doesnt qualify for letting Ron Wilson go.

[Gary]

always negative articles 90 percent of the time...Wilson had no goalie till Reimer came around, also tell me another coach that could have gotten this team into the playoffs...just one...i hope the leafs make the playoffs so Wilson gets more years and the Media has to put up with him i love it..Wilson gives you guys the respect you's all deserve..NOTTA

[Jeff Mills]

Wow bitter. For a guy who said that both the Leafs and media "need to grow up" in their disagreements, this seems like more mud singling in the sand box. How many times are you going to refer to "fibber Ron Wilson"?

[yellow4dissent]

for once I agree with Cox. What a joke the extension was -- this is why a GM shouldn't hire a friend as a coach ( I know RW was hired before BB -- but he was hired for him). I used to have faith in BB's plans but no longer - one of the worst records in the league for 3 years and the guy responsible gets handsomely rewarded. What a joke. Way to urinate all over your ticket paying fans.

[Jamie]

Wilson will never lead this team into a round 2 of the playoffs. For that matter it will be touch and go to reach the playoffs once the going gets tough. He can't develop and grow young players and they won't play for him consistently. And according to Burke he has assembled great talent. So someone is telling a fib?
Should have dumped him and gotten someone who relates to and can lead the youngsters

[DrMOSPO]

omg damien this is by far the best article you have written. You got it exactly right and thank god for someone else who agrees with everything ive been saying this whole year

[Angelo]

This entire column is ridiculous. If Wilson had not received an extension, the media hounds would have brought that up after each Leaf loss for the rest of the season. For all of the columns, radio shows, and all of the sports channels that exist now, you guys have to have something to talk about all the time. Everything is an issue, especially in Toronto. It's true that the Leafs have not made the playoffs since Wilson was here, but it's also true that the cupboard was more than bare when he arrived. The Leafs have been getting progressively better each season. What kind of successful rebuild, starting literally from scratch, only takes 3 and a half years? The Bruins, Capitals, Blackhawks, all took longer to become contenders and had more to work with.

[George Cameron]

Timing is everything for Burke and Wilson as they operate much like politicians. The contract extension was always there in waiting. The opportune time finally arrived with a two game winning streak leading up to the Xmas break. Wilson and Burke confirm the deal via their respective twitter accounts hoping Leaf Nation while on Xmas hiatus doesn't notice collectively. Query why the contract specifics haven't been aired yet?. Its just Burkie pathetically prioritizing his pal over the best interest of the loyal fan. Its now just a matter of time when he steps before the mikes and justifies the contract extension on the grounds that the team is on target for playoff paradise...same old song and dance indeed.

[g ball]

only in Toronto

[victor dibueno]

cox: all you do is crap on toronto sports teams. doesn't matter if it's the jays, leafs, badminton - you'll find a way to turn it sour. not saying that wilson deserved an extension, but seriously: what hall of fame coach, in your mind, could have done better with the pieces he had to work with?

you. are. ridiculous.

You continue to get paid for it, though. so i guess it's what puts you to sleep at night nice and snug.

embarrassing. (this city deserves more.)

[ldv]

It's simply pathetic! These two HUCKSTERS are having great success, for themselves, personally, though! It's time to support another Canadian team. Winnipeg is a good choice. I'm done, until these two vagabonds are rid of!!

[No expectations]

The Leafs - most storied franchise in hockey history, their fans like to think. If they really are, they would do everything, anything to put them over the top to win and win it all.. They haven't in 20 years and that's being generous.
Losers. Prove me wrong.

[Hokey Wolf]

Agree 100%. Look over past 4 years, have the rosters of Phoenix Coyotes and Nashville Predators really been better than Leafs? Fronton looked a lot better in Preds jersey. Not many recent Coyotes or Preds look better after moving to a new club IMO.

Hire Trotz or Tippett would be my first recommendation.

[T]

Its been happening for a long time and its precisely why I stopped watching the games.

[Jimmy]

This article is immature and ridiculous. It is so negative and lacks any kind of critical thinking or analysis. If this article wasnt written by 'Damion Cox' and pulished in 'the star' it wouldn't be considered good enough for bleacher report. For a guy who has had a pretty good career writing abouth hockey, and who usually is one of the best in the business, this is a joke. Any objective observer would agree that Ron Wilson has not, until this year, been given an NHL team to work with. Why a new coach just for the sake of a new coach? Wilson's only problem is media relations and the team seems to play hard for him. It is obvious when a team quits on a coach and this has not happened. Therefore, what would the point of changing coaches be? Wilson is one of the most winningest coaches of all time. No one doubts his experiance, knowledge or credentials. He has a young team on the rise that has been built slowly and which has grown together. Why should the leader of this team not be granted the oppertunity to see it through to its conclusion? The reaction to Wilson's extension has been predictable, sad, and worst of all, devoid of critical thinking. As usual, I am available for jobs in the sports journalism field and will work for free.

[moe green]

Thank you Damien.

[Alex Greene]

"Rogers and Bell may also want to know why the lame-duck Ontario Teachers Pension Fund had any business approving such an contract extension, particularly with another NHL lockout in the offing."

Ohh... aren't we naiive?.. Bell/Rogers have been scamming Canadian customers for YEARS with fixed pricing on wireless, Internet, etc.. They know ALL about extracting maximum profit with minimal effort while padding the pockets of its executives. Please...

[Robert Moses]

Pathetic ownership, organization, general manager, coach and players.

The weathiest team in the NHL. Six years (to become seven) with NOT at least 1 playoff appearance.

What a joke...

[jeremee]

You're right on the money with this one Damien...

[Chris Campbell]

Damian you are 100% correct. I guess I should not be so surprised to hear Leaf nation moaning at you. Blind faith. Where are their heads? No doubt the team is better this year, and there is a decent chance they will make the playoff? But then what? The defence last night against Florida was ropey, Reimer (No. 1 goalie) didn't look like a NHL starter and the penalty kill is a joke. Scrape through the first round ... maybe? Wow. I hope I am wrong. Toronto has slept walked to The Gardens and ACC year after year after year. For what? High ticket prices and the occasional run at the play-offs. Ron Wilson must think he is the luckiest guy. Sure, he can take some credit, and no one expected much his first year, maybe even the second. But this cosy arrangement threatens long term success. In the English Premiership if a big team consistently loses, the fans demonstrate outside the stadium, chanting for the removal of the manager, and ownership! There is a very low tolerance of continual failure for teams that treat their fans with contempt. When will the fans get real and do the same? 44 years and counting in the largest and most loyal hockey market there is. Is anyone counting anymore?

[Ken Chevis]

There once was a GM named Burke,
Who came to Toronto to work,
He saddled his roster,
With a coaching imposter,
And drove all the Faithful berserk.

[E.T.]

Look at Wilson’s body language and the style and content of his spoken word: the man is tired and worn out. This extension is his golden parachute that he will be collecting for several years after he is fired - which event he will embrace - at the end of the season for missing the playoffs. Burke committed this deed now because he knows that he will be powerless to do so at the end of the season when, after again missing the playoffs, Barn Brawler Burke knows that he will be a dead-man-walking.

[Tom Hanrahan]

Damien you certainly got this one right. Can anyone imagine another NHL city where missing the playoffs for three years would garner a reward. Since last April 12 NHL coaches have been fired. The only mystery is why that list did not include Ron Wilson. Wilson may not have had great teams when he got here but there is no evidence he has done anything to make those teams better. This year the talent level is better and he still has the the worst power play in the league. This should have been a Wake not a celebration of life!

[Rob Di Zio]

Wow...Merry Christmas to you too Damien! A one year extension to cautiously continue a job that seems to be moving in the right direction is a problem? I assume you renew your home builder's contract after you carefully inspect the laying of each and every brick. Human beings need a semblance of order and structure in their life to work well (by the way, Wilson is human)... a one year extension does not secure a job it simply allows you to organize your life for a little longer so you can stay focused on doing it. Tis not the season for such negativity Damien.

[George Z]

I guess the same goes for the Star whenever they renew your contract, eh Damien? I can't remember that last article of yours that actually had some hockey analysis other than "Leafs win, they're good, Leafs lose, they suck". How about telling us WHY the Leafs PK is 30 out of 30. Where is the gap in their defensive zone strategy? C'mon, give us something that a 12 year old couldn't tell us. After all, you know everything about hockey.